Math placement is determined during orientation. Required classes are listed below. Some students may need to take more math to meet the prerequisites for the required courses. If student places into math lower than 133, please expect extra semesters or hours to make up math credit. SEE ADVISOR.

Take Chemistry 100 before 201 if lacking high school chemistry or lacking a strong math background.

English 180 and 280 may be taken in either Fall or Spring Semester of the 1st (180) or 2nd year (280).

All first year students, (or transfer students) who bring in 12 or fewer hours would have to take and pass TWO FYE classes (one each of the first two semesters), and students who come with 13-24 hours would have to take and pass ONE FYE class in their first semester at WIU.

One class must be taken from the Fine Arts (Area 2) of the Humanities General Education Requirement.

Chem Required (40)

Math Sequence (12)

Physics Sequence (8-10)

Computer Science (3)

Chem 201 (4)

Math 133 (4)

Phys 197 (4)

CS 211 & 212 (3) (or higher)

Chem 202 (4)

Math 134 (4)

Phys 198 (4) OR Phys 124 (5)

Chem 331 (5)

Math 231 (4)

Phys 125 (5)

Chem 332 (4)

Chem 341 (3)

Chem 374 (4)

Chem 375 (4)

Chem 401 (4)

Chem 442 (5)

Chem Elective (3-4)

This major requires a minor. See advisor for complementary minors.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biochemistry Option, with a Minor in Biology

FRESHMAN

Fall

Spring

Math Placement (Math 133)1 (4)

Chemistry 202 (4)

Chemistry 2012 (4)

Multicultural Elective (3)

English 1803 (3)

Math 134 (4)

Humanities FYE4 (3)

Social Science FYE4 (3)

Human Well Being (1-3)

Human Well Being (1-3)

Total Credit Hours: 15-17

Total Credit Hours: 15-17

SOPHOMORE

Fall

Spring

Chemistry 331 (5)

Chemistry 332 (4)

English 2803 (3)

Biology Minor (4)

Social Science Elective (3)

Physics 125 or 198 (4-5)

Physics 124 or 197 (4-5)

Chemistry 370 (4)

Total Credit Hours: 15-16

Total Credit Hours: 16-17

JUNIOR

Fall

Spring

Chemistry 401 (4)

Computer Science 211 and 212 (3)

Chemistry 341 (3)

Social Science Elective (3)

Communications 241 (3)

Biology Minor (3)

Biology Minor (4)

Chemistry 421 (4)

Total Credit Hours: 14

Total Credit Hours: 13

SENIOR

Fall

Spring

Humanities elective (3)

Chemistry 429 (4-5)

Social Science Elective (3)

Humanities Elective (Area 2 Fine Arts)5 (3)

Chemistry Elective (or Chemistry 490) (3-4)

Chemistry 422 (4)

Biology Minor (3)

Humanities elective (3)

Biology Minor (3)

Total Credit Hours: 15-16

Total Credit Hours: 14-15

Math placement is determined during orientation. Required classes are listed below. Some students may need to take more math to meet the prerequisites for the required courses. If student places into math lower than 133, please expect extra semesters or hours to make up math credit. SEE ADVISOR.

Take Chemistry 100 before 201 if lacking high school chemistry or lacking a strong math background.

English 180 and 280 may be taken in either Fall or Spring Semester of the 1st (180) or 2nd year (280).

All first year students, (or transfer students) who bring in 12 or fewer hours would have to take and pass TWO FYE classes (one each of the first two semesters), and students who come with 13-24 hours would have to take and pass ONE FYE class in their first semester at WIU.

One class must be taken from the Fine Arts (Area 2) of the Humanities General Education Requirement.

Chem Required (40)

Math Sequence (8)

Physics Sequence (8-10)

Computer Science (3)

Chem 201 (4)

Math 133 (4)

Phys 197 (4)

CS 211 & 212 (3) (or higher)

Chem 202 (4)

Math 134 (4)

Phys 198 (4) OR Phys 124 (5)

Chem 331 (5)

Phys 125 (5)

Chem 332 (4)

Chem 341 (3)

Chem 370 (4)

Chem 401 (4)

Chem 421 (4)

Chem 422 (4)

Chem 429 (1-5)

Chem Elective (3-4)

This major REQUIRES a minor in Zoology, Microbiology, or Botany. SEE ADVISOR.

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry

FRESHMAN

Fall

Spring

Math Placement (Math 133)1 (4)

Chemistry 202 (4)

Chemistry 2012 (4)

Multicultural Elective (3)

English 1803 (3)

Math 134 (4)

Humanities FYE4 (3)

Social Science FYE4 (3)

Human Well Being (1-3)

LEJA 101 (3)

Total Credit Hours: 15-17

Total Credit Hours: 17

SOPHOMORE

Fall

Spring

Chemistry 331 (5)

Chemistry 332 (4)

English 2803 (3)

Physics 125 or 198 (4-5)

Social Science Elective (3)

Social Science Elective (3)

Physics 124 or 197 (4-5)

Chemistry 370 (4)

Total Credit Hours: 15-16

Total Credit Hours: 15-16

JUNIOR

Fall

Spring

Chemistry 401 (4)

Humanities Elective (3)

Chemistry 341 (3)

Chemistry 421 (4)

Communications 241 (3)

Botany 200 (4)

Chemistry 416 (1)

Humanities Elective (Area 2 Fine Arts)5 (3)

LEJA 242 or 303 (3)

Human Well Being (1-3)

Total Credit Hours: 14

Total Credit Hours: 15-17

SENIOR

Fall

Spring

Humanities Elective (3)

Chemistry 442 (5)

Directed Elective* (3-4)

Chemistry 452 (3)

Chemistry 490 (or 495 in Summer) (3)

Social Science Elective (3)

Chemistry 451 (3)

Zoology 200 (4)

Computer Science 211 and 212 (3)

Total Credit Hours: 15-16

Total Credit Hours: 15

Math placement is determined during orientation. Required classes are listed below. Some students may need to take more math to meet the prerequisites for the required courses. If student places into math lower than 133, please expect extra semesters or hours to make up math credit. SEE ADVISOR.

Take Chemistry 100 before 201 if lacking high school chemistry or lacking a strong math background.

English 180 and 280 may be taken in either Fall or Spring Semester of the 1st (180) or 2nd year (280).

All first year students, (or transfer students) who bring in 12 or fewer hours would have to take and pass TWO FYE classes (one each of the first two semesters), and students who come with 13-24 hours would have to take and pass ONE FYE class in their first semester at WIU.

One class must be taken from the Fine Arts (Area 2) of the Humanities General Education Requirement.

Chem Required (47)

Math Sequence (8)

Physics Sequence (8-10)

Computer Science (3)

Chem 201 (4)

Math 133 (4)

Phys 197 (4)

CS 211 & 212 (3) (or higher)

Chem 202 (4)

Math 134 (4)

Phys 198 (4) OR Phys 124 (5)

Chem 331 (5)

Phys 125 (5)

Chem 332 (4)

Chem 341 (3)

Chem 370 (4)

Chem 416 (1)

Chem 421 (4)

Chem 442 (5)

Chem 451 (3)

Chem 452 (3)

Chem 485 OR 490 (3)

Law Enforcement (6)

*Directed Elective (3-4)

Biology Requirement (8)

LEJA 101 (3)

Anth 405 (3) OR Geol 110 (4) OR Biol 330 (4) OR Micro 200 (4)

Bot 200 (4)

LEJA 242 (3) OR LEJA 303 (3)

Zool 200 (4)

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree in Chemistry

The Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's degree program (IBMP) in Chemistry provides an opportunity for outstanding undergraduate Chemistry/Biochemistry/Forensic Chemistry majors to complete both the BS in Chemistry and MS degree program in Chemistry in five years. In addition to earning both degrees a year early, the integrated programs may include additional opportunities to participate in a variety of experiential educational activities such as a master's project or thesis.

Admission Requirements

Applicant should apply to the School of Graduate Studies for admission to an integrated degree program in Chemistry.

Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a major GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Applicant should request three letters of recommendation from faculty.

Applicant should submit a statement of purpose and career goals.

Official transcripts will be obtained from Sherman Hall by Graduate Office staff.

Degree Requirements

The program offers interested and serious students two plans: 1) Thesis plan emphasizing research and 2) Applied Chemistry plan. The course work of a given plan will be determined through careful advising of directed electives. All students will complete the necessary coursework to have a strong understanding in all the fundamental areas of chemistry. Both plans will require the minimum 120 credit hours of the regular BS in Chemistry program.

The Thesis plan will include significant portions of research work carried out by the students under the guidance of chemistry faculty mentors. This work will culminate in the completion of a master’s thesis in the last semester of the program. The thesis should demonstrate the student’s mastery of the basic areas of chemistry as well as the completion of a significant research project. The Applied Chemistry plan will require an internship whereby the student will spend a minimum of one semester at a cooperating industrial or government laboratory.

Students will be required to complete 120 semester hours (sh) for the bachelor’s degree. Nine of these hours may be taken as "bridge" courses which will also count toward the 32 semester hours required for the master’s degree. Courses taken for "bridge" credit will require students to complete extra projects and demonstrate a higher level of understanding of class materials. A student must be a senior and accepted into the integrated program before "bridge" courses may be taken.

Career Opportunities

There are varieties of opportunities available, including jobs in academia and industry, as well as opportunities in pursuing PHD studies at various institutions nationwide.

For admissions process and general program information, contact School of Graduate Studies, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, (309) 298-1806, Grad-Office@wiu.edu, www.wiu.edu/grad.

Graduate

The Chairman of the Graduate Committee serves as advisor to beginning graduate students. Information about the graduate program may be obtained by contacting the department or by checking the graduate catalog. The department offers graduate training at the M.S. level in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry.